“You don’t know?”
He shakes his head.
“Really?”He can’t be serious.
“Is this about last night?Because I swear I didn’t get into a fight.”
I groan in exasperation.“No!It’s not about last night.It’s about how closed off you’ve been since school started.I’ve been giving you space so you don’t feel pressured—”
“Pressured to do what?”
I want to strangle this boy.Kiss him.But also strangle him.
“To be seen together.”
“Oh.”But he still looks like he’s not following.“Are we not supposed to be seen together?”
“I… um…” I’m speechless.Because I don’t know if we’re supposed to be seen together or not.I thought that’s whathewanted.
He leans back against the car.“We’re friends.We’ve been friends for most of our lives.Why shouldn’t we be seen together now?What’s changed?”
I stare at him.“Friends?”
The silence is infuriating as I wait for him to expand upon the definition of ourfriendship.Because friends don’t kiss the way we just did and have been since this summer… whenever anyone’s not around.Which is why I’ve been avoiding being seen together.
My logic needs some re-evaluating.
Jonathan examines me like I’m speaking backward.“What’s going on?”
“I thought we were more than that.You know, since we started kissing and grinding against each other every chance we get.”
Jonathan laughs.“And you want everyone to know?You’re sure?”
“I mean, everyone’s known how I’ve felt about you since sixth grade when I’d turn bright red every time you looked at me.But… if you don’t—”
“That’swhat that was about?”
“What did you think it was about?!”I narrow my eyes, examininghim like he’s a fascinating and extremely clueless creature.“You really didn’t know?”
“Do you think I would’ve let six years pass before I kissed you if I had?”
My jaw releases, and I’m gaping like I’m gulping air.“You felt the same?”
He releases a heavy sigh.Maybe we’vebothbeen going about this all wrong.I thought we always understood each other.But apparently, we suck at it.
“Wow,” is the only thing I can say.
“Wow,” he repeats but with a hint of frustration.
“So, can we not be annoyingly awkward around each other anymore?”
“Awkward?I thought I was doing a good job at playing it casual.”
“Are you kidding?I was prepared for you to tell me this was over.That you wanted to go back to beingjustfriends.And… I was kinda freaking out.”
Jonathan grins, dazzling me with his bright smile.“Really?You thought I’d end this?”
“Yes,” I huff in annoyance.“Why couldn’t you make eye contact, ever?”
